Apparatus for processing textiles



March 26, 1940. W, sT'ElGE 2,194,877 l APPARATUS Fon PROCESSING Tnxnws Filed Nov. 27, 1935 5 sheets-sheet 1 Vaal/w71 7&01' Vacuum Elm/v Expansion Jn/1' ATTORNEYS G. w. sTL-:lGER 2,194,877

APPARATUSI FOR PRUCESSING TEXTILES l Filed Nov. 27, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 26, 1940.

March 23 1940 G. w.s'rE1GER 2,194,877

V APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING TEXTILES Filed NOV. 27, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 .gw l b INVENTOR. l

ATTORNEYS S8 GEORGE STE/623 l March 26., 1940. G, w, sTElGER 2,194,877`

APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING TEXTILES Filed NOV. 27, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 /f/ 707 OS i049 INVENTOR. /f/f G50/@6E il( ST5/65e ATTORNEYS March 26, 1940.

G. W. SITEIGER APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING TEXTILES Filed Nov.` 27, 1935 5 sheets-sheet 5 peni/'ny )ank k e n P a m 2 R E w l@ M 5,4 im m .M M E w E w u m m2 w S ,a M :wz W 2 W n 1 .f5 y n m u W Q Q B .w ..I e n /U 3. M o wl ya M f vf x @e2 G f a 9 #u 2 W M M ME G 6 MF1 f 2 um wr mx f L w 2 c F a r m im f v\ w a e m W y u W l m f h um /m /5/ /Ufm w, S ,s 0 O m MM fm. ru .w l nw 6 i W Y y i Fmi 5 \)l .MJ ,NW Avv T2 BY ma ATroRNEl/l Patented Mar. 26, 1940 UNITED STATES PA'rEN'r, OFFICE 2,194,877 APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING TEXTILES vGeorge William Steiger, Jackson Heights, N. Y.

Application November 27, 1935, Serial No. 51,840

s (ci. ess-19o) The present invention relates to improved apparatus for dyeing, bleaching, wet processing, drying and similar operations as applied to textile fabrics and fibers of all kinds.

Although not specifically limited thereto, the

present invention will be illustratively described in connection with the wet processing of yarn cones or cylinders, particularly for knitting.

In connection with yarn, particularly as used for the knitting industry, it is customary to unwind yarn after it has been spun, to obtain skeins, which skeins must then be most carefully positioned or arranged in vats or tanks in which they are subjected to the action of various liquids such as dyeing liquids, bleaching liquids, desulphurizing liquids, finishing liquids, sizing liquids and so forth.

It is usually necessary to subject these skeins to several handling operations in the course of this treatment, and often the skeins must be removed from the tanks one or more times between various processing operations. Finally after processing, the skeins have to be rewound on cones or bobbins so that they miay be conveniently employed on knitting machines.

It is among the objects of the present invention to decrease the number of handling operations necessary in wet processing yarns, particularly for the knitting industries and it is a further object of the present invention to provide a means for enabling the Wet processing of yarns Without the necessity of unwinding them in skein form and then rewinding them back on cones or bobbins after wet processing operations,

which means will assure a thorough and most' uniform treatment of the yarns in the form of a substantially compact mass.

It is also desirable in textile processing, particularly in connection with dyeing, bleaching, finishing or sizing operations that the 'textile material whether in skein, cone, fabric or other form, be conveniently subjected to a plurality of treating liquids successively or alternately and it is among the further objects of the present invention to provide a' relatively simple system and plan for carrying out such successive treatments including a minimum of equipment and which may be installed in a relatively small space in a most compact manner.

In accomplishing the above mentioned objects it has been found most suitable to provide av tank or container arrangement in which vyarn masses may be most conveniently stacked in say vertical piles, each yarn mass being preferably interiorly provided with a perforated holder the perforated holders being separated by plates which centrally permit communication between the interiors of the adjacent annular masses.

A hollow perforated spindle projects up through and supports the holders in the stack and provides a central support therefor.

In my prior Patent No. 1,706,827 there is disclosed a process of eiecting dyeing, rinsing and other operations in the production of textile fabrics wherein the liquid in several baths is caused to flow in one direction by the action of intermittent vacuum, and thenl permitted to return to the tank by gravity in the intervals.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an' apparatus by which a continuous vacuum may be employed to cause circulation or swishing of treating fluid backwardly and forwardly through a mass of yarnvhmithout requiring undue labor or supervision and by a relatively simple, inexpensive installation subject to ready control.

In accomplishing the last mentioned object, it is only necessary to provide a relatively simple vacuum system with a single vacuum tank and connected'pump and with two liquid receiving and discharging expansion tanks between which the treating liquid is passed during operation.

In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, a substantially continuous vacuum is rst applied to one expansion tank to cause liquids first to ow outwardly through the textile materials and then to the other expansion tank to cause said liquids to flow inwardly by convenient and automatically operated valve arrangements. with a plurality of screens, strainers or similar devices which will cause a thorough mixture of the liquid passing through the conduit 56 and which may also be utilized to strain out any solid particles from the liquid which may be admitted from the tank B0 into the expansion tank B.

The material carriers upon Which the yarn or fabric may be wound are so positioned in the treating tank or kier and the connections from the expansion tanks are so made that vacuum may be first applied to the interior of the carriers and then to the exterior of the carriers.

By assuring continually reversing flow of fluids through the textile material on said carriers, a thorough penetration on the fabrics or fibers is permitted.

The valving arrangement is preferably arranged so that one or more valves may be readily operated and may be arranged to permit treatment of fabrics or textile materials in a plurality of kiers or treating tanks and/or by use of a plurality of vacuum pump and vacuum tank combinations.`

'Ihe above and other objects will appear more clearly from the following detailed description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a preferred cmbodirnent of the inventive idea.

The structure 60a is provided In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic layout of a. system of one of the preferred forms of the system or installment according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof on the line 2--2 of Figure l.

Figure 3 is a side elevational view in partial section on enlarged scale on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a detailed transverse sectional view of one of the holding stacks upon enlarged scale, on the line 4--4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view of the reversing valve device upon enlarged scale.

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional View on the line B--B of Figure 5 of said valve device.

Figure '7 is a front of elevational view of said valve.

Figure 8 is an enlarged top view of the double reversing valve construction.

Figures 9 and 10 are plan layout views similar te Figure 2 of alternative layouts showing the manner in which several treating tanks and/or several vacuum pumps may be connected in the circulating system.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the tank A is,

adapted toreceive textile material, either yarn or fabric, preferably wound upon a spindle or on bobbins and cones.

Through the material in tank A, a dye solution or another treating liquid from the expansion tanks B and C, is adapted to be circulated, this circulation being effected by the controlled applilcation of vacuum from the vacuum tank D through the automatically operated control valves E and F.

The vacuum pump G is connected to the vacuum tank D and assures the maintenance of a desired vacuum therein. The construction and the connections to the tank A are best shown in Figures 3 and 4.

Referring to these figures, the tank or kier A consists of a shell I0 having a bottom, I I, which is supported on a foundation I 2 positioned on the legs I3. The bottoms of the legs I3 are provided with flanges |4 which are supported upon the flooring or other structure I5.

The tank is provided with the cover I6 which is pivotally mounted by the ear I1 on the ear I8, extending upwardly from the tank structure I0, the pivot member i9 serving as the pivot mount.

The diametrically opposite side of the tank at 20 is provided with an ear to which is pivotally 4connected at 2 I, a latch 22 which latch is provided with a threaded extension 23 receiving the clamping nut 24.

The shank of the latch 22 is adapted to be received in the recess 25 and the nut 24 may be tightened down to press the peripheral boss 26 into the packing material 21 in the recess in the upper edge of the tank structure I0. V

The lower center portion of the bottom of the tank is provided with the inlet element 28 which has a conical recess 29 receiving the conical nippleC 30 of the base structure 3|.

The textile material which may be in the form of a fabric or yarn is preferably wound around spindles, or wound on cones or bobbins placed on said spindles, and the spindles are so connected to such annular masses of textile material that a treating liquid may be caused to be swished through the mass radially inwardly or outwardly.

The base structure 3| is provided with a floor plate 32 having the bosses 33, each of which bosses has a tapped opening 34 therethrough receiving the perforated spindle or holder members 35.

The bosses 33 are received in the groove 36 in the lower face of the separator plate 31, the corresponding groove 38 in the upper face of the separator plate 31 receiving the perforated cylinder 39, upon which the textile material, be it fabric or yarn 40, is wound.

A series of perforated cylinders 39 carrying textile material 4U may be provided upon each spindle 35, with the central perforated cylinders 39 being received in said grooves 36 and 38 in the separator plates 31, and with the outer portion of the separator plates, as indicated at 4|, compressing the textile material so that all flow to the spindle or away from the spindle 35 will be radially through the textile material 4|), as indicated by the arrows 42.

The upper end of the spindle 35 may be threaded, as indicated at 43, Figure 3, and we see the wing nut 44 which enables the entire stack to be placed in compression.

The intervening plates between adjacent masses of textile material are preferably provided with openings 45 to permit the treating fluid to pass from one end portion to the other end of the textile material and insure thorough treatment of the textile mass 40, both at the ends and at the middle.

The lower portion of the conical element may be provided with a spider 46 receiving the rod 41 bymeans of a nut 48 which rod extends up through the entire stack of textile cylinders to receive the knob 49 at its upper end. i The entire stack may be lifted out of the cylinder or placed in the cylinder I0 by the knob 49, the weight of the entire stack assuring a liquid tight connection between the conical recess 29 and the conical nipple 30.

The stack of textile materials in the tank 3 may be of any suitable height, but it preferably does not exceed the height, as indicated in Figure 3, so that there will be an assurance that the liquid level which may vary from 50 to 5| will always be higher than the textile mass during the flow reversing or agitating operation.

The liquid connections are respectively made to the interior of the casing 3| by the pipe section 52 and to the exterior of the tank by the pipe section 53.

The elbows 54 and 55 are attached to the pipe sections 52 and 53, which elbows 54 and 55 are in turn connected to the pipes 56 and 51 leading to the expansion tanks B and C respectively past the hand valves 58, 59.

In operation of the tank I0 shown in Figures 3 and 4, the textile material may be loaded therein by first loading the spindles, locking the spools 40 thereon by the quick acting wing-nuts 44, and then placing the entire mass of'textile materials 40 within the tank I0 and closing the cover I6, as indicated in Figure 3. 'I'hen the cover I6 of the tank I0 is clamped by the turn nut 24 and the latch 22.

The treating liquid is rst caused to flow from the tank B into the base structure 3| to the spindles 35 and radially outwardly through the textile material to the connection 51 leading to the expansion tank C.

This operation will take place in the construction indicated by the solid arrows in Figures 1 and 4.

In the reverse operation, the liquid is caused to flow from the expansion tank C radially inwardly through the textile material 40 to the expansion tank B.

This alternate reverse flow operation which may be caused to take place in the manner described,- may be carried out until a sulcient treatment of the fabric or yarn is assured. The yarn may be treated this way in dyeing, sizing, nishing, degumming, drying, washing, desulphurizing, and so forth.

Tank B is conveniently provided with filler means 80, which enables a treating solution to be made up and placed in the tank for treatment of the textile material and mixer and/or filter a will assure through intermixture and/or filtration of the solution so made up in the filler means 80 and fed to the expansion tank B.

From the expansion tanks B and C there extend upwardly the header pipes 82 and 83, these pipes extend suiciently upwardly so that they will be higher than the length of a column which may be raised by a vacuum, the preferred height being at least 33 to 34 feet or more.

These pipes 62 and 63 respectively connect to the valves E and F by which the tanks are alternately connected to vacuum and to the air assuring the circulation from one tank B to the other tank C.

The valve structures E and F are best shown in Figures 5, 6, 7 and 8.

These valves are provided with a casing 10 having the port members 1| leading to the Vpipes 02 and 63, to expansion tanks B and C and to the kier or tank A and also provided with the port structures T2 leading' to the' atmosphere and 'I3 connecting to the pipe 18 leading through the pipe |3| to the vacuum tank D.

The casing 10 is provided with necks of reduced diameter at 12, 13 and at these points receives the bearing sleeves 15 which at their ends are provided with flanges 18 and 11 forming valve seats cooperating with thevalve seat faces 18 and 19 which are clamped .between the disks 80 and 8| and the end members 82v and 83.

The disks 80 and 8| are of suciently smaller diameter than the backing elements 82 and 83 to expose a sucient annular area of the disk 'I8 and 19 to cooperate with the flanges 10 and 11. The extensions 84 and 85 of the sleeve members 82 and 83 ride in the bearings 86 and 81 which are received in the enclosure members 88 and 88 of the casing'l.

The central carrier rod is provided with two reduced diameter portions 9| and 92 forming shoulders to abut the disks 80 and 8|. The sleeve elements 82 and 83 are held in position by the head 93 and the nut 94.

lThe double valve 18, 19 as shown in Figure 5 is in the position of opening the pipe 82 to the air and cutting off they vacuum from the line 19 and it may be actuated into the other position by the extension which is provided 'with the collar 96 and the stud 91 bearing in the boss 98 in the end casing 88.

' The clevis element 99 embraces the extension 95, is connected to the shaft |00 at the hub |09, and provided with a bar |0| which carries an adjustable weight |02 at its upper end.

'I'he hub |03 of the arm |0| is held between the support bearing members |08, |05' attached to the casing 10, in which bearing members the shaft |00 rotates.

-The end of the shaft |00 as shown best in Figure '7, is pinned to the quadrant |06, which isl Inlay be locked in position by lock nuts and 2.

By adjusting the screws |09 and ||0 of Figure '7, it is possible to regulate the length of the periods during which the vacuum-is supplied to each of the expansion tanks B and C.

Rotatably mounted on the shaft |00 is the lever 3 having the wedge-like contact portion H4 and the slotted extension H5, the slot of which receives the pin H6. The pin H6 carries the washer ||1 and the split pin H8. Thepin ||6 is xed to the gear ||9 which is pivotally mounted on the shaft |20 and rotates as indicated by the arrow |2| in Figure 7.

The shaft |20 has a bearing, as indicated at |22 in Figure 6 in the end member 88.

The worm |23 which meshes with the gear ||9 is mounted on the shaft |24 which is carried in the bracket |25 bolted as indicated at |28` in Figure 6 to the lower part ofthe end casing 88.

The shafts |24, (see Figure 8) of the valves E and F are driven by the gears |21 which mesh with the pinion |28 which is driven by the shaft |29 of the electric motor |30.

In operation, the motor |30 is continuously operated during wet treatment and causes continuous rotation at a predetermined R. P. M. of the gears ||9, as a result the valves 18 and 19 will be actuated rst to apply vacuum to the tank B and atmospheric pressure to the tank C and then vacuum to the tank C and atmospheric pressure to the tank B. This application of vacuum may be continued to cause a change in liquid level from 50 to 5| in the tank A, (see Figure 3) the liquid level rst rising and then falling. Y

The swishing of liquid radially outwardly and radially inwardly, as indicated by the arrows 42 (see Figure 4) will assure a most satisfactory treatment of the fabric and most thorough y processing thereof.

In Figure 9 is shown a slightly different layout many conduits leading to various liquid treating tanks or systems as shown in Figure 9, as may be desired.

' In Figure 10, as shown schematically, is another system in which similarly functioning parts are indicated by the same numerals provided with a superior 2. I

In the embodiment of Figure l0, two pumps G3 are provided and they are caused .to operate on the vacuum tanks D2 which are connected together by the pipe |92 provided with the hand valves |48, and |45.

Two sets of control valves E2 and F2 are provided.

In the layout shown in Figure l0, by opening of the valves |43, |95, |48, |01, |48 and |69 and |50, it is possible to operate the tanks A2 in Figure 10 in tandem.

As shown in Figure 10, the expansion tanks B2 may be connected together by the line |5I and the valves |46 and |41.

The expansion tanks C2 may be connected together past the valves |50 and |52 through the line |53.

The two systems may be' cut off from one another and operated independently by closing the valves |43, |45, |46, |41, |48, |49, |50 and |52.

It is thus apparent by the arrangement shown in Figure 10, a double vacuum or double control may be applied to the expansion tanks or other suitable rearrangement may be made for special operations and purposes.

In preparing the solution in the expansion tanks B in Figure 1, the solution may be made up in the smaller tank 60 and thorough mixture may be assured by passing through the mixer and ltering device 60a.

Referring to Figure 4, although the tops of the spindle may be closed in various manners, the plug 200 shown in Figure 4 has been found to be particularly suitable.

It is apparent, according to the arrangements shown in Figures 9 and 10, that a large number of combinations of treating tanks A, expansion tanks B and C, control valves E and F and vacnum tanks D may be made and it is intended to include all such alternative arrangements and systems within the scope of the present invention.

The switch pipe arrangement and |4| may also be utilized in the arrangement shown in Figure 1 or in the arrangement shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Before placing the carrier 3| with its loaded cylinders 40 into the tank A, the tank is prei.'- erably filled with clean water without the treating chemical or material to be added up to the level 2|0 (see Figure 3).

This water may be heated to the desired temperature by the direct and indirect heating coils 2H and 2I2 after the cover I6 has been closed.

The treating chemical then is fed into the treating solution through the auxiliary feeding tank 60 in which the dye, bleach or other material is placed together with the necessary quantity of water, the initially concentrated material being formed in said auxiliary tank 60.

The outlet valve 2|3 (see Figure 1) may be opened during the application of vacuum -to the expansion tank B to -permit the concentrated treating solution to be drawn into the header pipe 62 and when the treating solution has been entirely drawn from the tank 60, the valve 2|3 may then be closed.

Then, upon application of the vacuum to the opposite tank C, this treating solution, the mixture of the chemicalfrom the tank 60 and the water from the tank A, will be drawn downwardly from the pipe 62 and the expansion tank B through the mixer and filter 60a which may take the .form of a cylindrical device provided with a series of perforated plates, the perforations of which are all set so as to cause a maximum turbulence of the liquid in passing therethrough.

The treating liquid containing the chemical then ilows through the pipe 56 into the kier or tank A from which solution is being drawn by the pipe 51 into the expansion tank C and the header pipe 63. Y

Then, upon the reverse operation, the ilow will be from the header pipe 63 and the expansion tank C through the pipe 51 into the tank A through the textile material 40 and then through the pipe 56 to the expansion tank B and the header 62. These reversals will continue until the proper amount of treatment has taken place.

By immersing the textile material in plain water and then by rst adding the treating chemical to the circulating iluid, as it is being alternately reversed, by the action of the vacuum, assuranceis had of a more uniform treatment of the textile material by the treating chemicals.

After the tank has been loaded by the carrier 3|, a tight action between the nipple and the recess 29 is assured by tightening the hand wheel 220 of Figure 3 which connects to the rod 223, said rod having a threaded portion 222 extending through a tap bore in the boss 224.

The lower end of the rod 223 is connected to a contact member 225 which is adapted to be pressed down upon the knob 49 and presses the nipple 30 tightly into the recess 29 providing a liquid tight joint.

To eliminate the air which may collect in the tank A, after the carrier 3| and the textile material 40 have been immersed therein, the bleeder pipe 226, provided with the valve 221 may be provided, the said bleeder pipe in the embodiment shown in Figure 3 being connected to the boss 224 which is at the highest point of the tank.

As shown in Figure 1, the expansion tanks B and C are preferably provided with the sight glasses 230 so as to enable determination of the liquid level therein.

When it is desired to Wash the textile material 40, in the tank A, free of the treating solution or to dry the same, the valve connections 23| and 232 may be both or alternately employed (see Figure l). The washing liquid may also be fed into the tank 50 when the vacuum is being applied to the tank C, with the valve 2|3 being closed through each reversal or the vacuum.

Washing uids and other treating liquids which are to be wastedmay be conveniently dumped through the valve T-connections 58, 50, which lare best shown in Figure 2.

As indicated in Figure 2, the valve connecform of a T the stem 240 of which is provided with the hand valve 24| and the automatically operating check valve 242. The end .of the T is connected to waste by means o! the tail pipe 243.

When vacuum is applied to the tank 56 or 51, to draw liquid toward the expansion tank, a check valve 242 will be closed so that no flow will take place through the tail pipe 243.

However, when the valve 24| has been opened and liquid is ilowing toward the tank A from an expansion tank B or C the check valve 242 will be automatically opened permitting the waste liquid to be discharged to a sewer or other place of disposal.

Although yarns of al1 characters may be treated according to the present invention, the process and apparatus of the present invention has been found particularly advantageous in application to woolen or worsted yarns for knitting purposes.

These yarns if not most carefully treated in ordinary wet processes will tend to stretch if subjected to any particular amount of liquid pressure and the quality will deteriorate. According to the present invention, these yarns are wet processed Without being stretched and without the use of liquid pump pressure, the alternating application of vacuum being suilicient to draw the treating fluid gently through the textile mass lll without injury.

It is to be understood that many modiilcations and arrangements may be made within the scope of the present invention without department from the spirit of the invention and it is intended to include all kinds of arrangements and constructions within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A system for dyeing cotton andwoolen yarns or for treating such yarns with other liquids or fluids, said yarns being wound concentrically upon elongated hollow members provided with flow openings, comprising a main tank to receive said members, said main tank having liquid connections to adjacent the bottom thereof to admit or remove a dye liquor or other fluid, and said yarns being at all times immersed in said dye liquor or other fluid in said tank, said tank also being provided with means to connect said hollow members interiorly at one end to one of said connections, the other ends of said hollow members being closed of! and the other connection open-l ing into the main tank exteriorly of said yarn, so that said dye liquor or other iluid will be compelled to `flow through said concentrically wound yarn in passing toward or from said interior connection, expansion tanks to receive dye liquid or other fluid from said connections positioned above said main tank, each having a conduit extending from the bottom thereof to one of said connections, a part of the dye liquor or other fluid in said main tank being alternatively .drawn through said connections between said., expansion tanks inwardly and outwardly through the concentrically wound yarn to and from said hollow members with changing of the level of the dye liquor or other fluid in saidtank during said circulation without said level at any time uncovering said yarn, a single central, vacuum source, conduits connectingv said source to the upper portions of said, expansion tanks, valve means on said conduits alternately to open the conduits to the atmosphere and to close the conduits from the atmosphere and open them to said source and automatically actuated means to operate said valve means to cause said source to be connected at all times to one of said expansion tanks and the atmosphere to the other of said expansion tanks, whereby said dye liquor or other fluid will at all times beA sucked through said concentricallyy woundyam inwardly or outwardly by said source.

2. A system for dyeing cotton and woolen yarns or for treating such yarns with other` liquids or nuids, said yarns being wound concentrically upon elongated hollow members provided with flow openings, comprising a main; tank to receive said members, said main tank having liquid connections to adjacent the bottom thereof to admit or remove a dye liquor or other iiuid, and said yarns being at all times immersed in said dye liquor or other fluid in said tank, said tank also being provided with'means to connect said hollow members interiorly at one end to one of said connections,- the other ends of said hollow members being closed oi! and the other connection opening into the main tank exteriorly of said yarn, so that said dye liquor or other fluid will be compelled to iiow through said concentrically wound yarn in passing toward or from said interior connection. expansiontanks to receive dye liquid or other fluid from said connections positioned above said main tank, each having a conduit extending from the bottom 'thereof to one of saidconnections, a part of the dye liquor or other iiuid in the said main tank being alternately drawn through said connections between said expansion tanks inwardly and outwardly thru the concentrically wound yarn to and from said hollow members with changing of the level of the dye liquor or other iluid in said tank during said circulation without said level at any time uncovering said yarn, a single central vacuum source,

conduits alternately to open theconduits to the atmosphere and to close the conduits from the t source, said vhollow members being positioned and clamped upon perforated tubular members opened at one end to said interior connection and closed at the other end.

3. A system for dyeing cotton and woolen yarns or for treating such yarns with other liquids or fluids, said yarns being wound concentrically upon elongated hollow members provided with ilow openings, comprising a main tank to receive said members, said main tank having liquid connec-V tions to adjacent the bottom thereof to admit or remove a dye liquor or other fluid, and said yarns being at all times immersed in said dye liquor or otherliluid in said. tank, said tank also being provided with means to connect said hollow members interiorly at one end to one of said connections, the other ends of said hollow members being closed ci! and the other connection opening into the main tank exteriorly of said yarn, so that said dye liquor or other fluid will be compelled to iiow through said concentrically wound yarn in passing toward or from said interior connection, expansion tanks Ato receive dye liquid or other fluid from said connections positioned above said main tank, each having a conduit extending from the bottom thereof to oneof said connections, a part of the dye liquor or other fluid in the said main tank being alternately drawn through said connections-between said expansion tanks inwardly and outwardly thru the concentrically wound yarn to and from said hollow members with changing of the level ofthe dye liquor or other fluid in said tank during said circulation without said level at any time uncovering said yarn, a single central vacuum source, con-- duits connecting said source to the upper por`- tions of said expansion tanks. valve means on said conduits alternately to open the conduits to the atmosphere and to close the conduits from the atmosphere and open them to said source and automatically actuated means to operate said valve means to cause said source to beconnected at all times to one of said expansion tanks and the atmosphere to the other of said expansion tanks, whereby said dye liquor or other fluid will at all times be sucked through said concentrically wound yarn inwardly or outwardly by said source. said hollow members being positioned and clamped upon perforated tubular members opened at one end to said interior connection and closed at the other end, said tubular members being lvertically positioned within said tank.

GEORGE WILLIAM STEIGEB. 15

l0 conduits connecting said source to the upper portions oi' said'expansion tanks, valve means on said` 

